Target operated taping machine



C. HESS TARGET OPERATED TAPING MACHINE Nov. 6, 1951 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed March 13, 1948 INVEN'I'OR. 614146255 HESS BYOM /l/ JTTORNEYS Nov. 6, 1951 Filed March 13, 1948 '2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 I N I E N TOR.

CA WS H5256 c. HESS 2,574,181

TARGET OPERATED TAPING MACHINE Patented Nov. 6, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT- OFFICE TARGET OPERATED TABING MACHINE Charles Hess, Yonkers, N. Y., assignor to S -& S Corrugated Paper Machinery '00., Inc., "Brook lyn, N. Y., a corporation *of New York Application -March 13, 1948, Serial No. 14,653 r My present invention relatesto taping machines'and more particularly to a taping machine adapted to tape the seam of folded corrugated board or other fibre board boxes-passed therethrough preferably by means of taping operations initiated by the pa'ssage oi the box through the V apparatus.

More particularly, my invention relates to a taping machineof the general type disclosed in Patent No. 2,467,275 issued April 12, 1949 wherein, however, switching means operated by the passage of the box through the machine initiates the tapefeeding'operation and performs the tape cutting operation.

My present invention is a modification of the Claims. (01.?21'6- 2'3 invention disclosed by me in applicationserial No. 787,159, filed November '20., 1947 now Patent No. 2,564,901 issued Augustj21, 1951.

In taping machines of this general type, it is necessary to feed out'the'tape to a position where it may be pressed down at the leading edge of the seam. Thereafter, the box as it moves through the machine pulls out the tape; at the conclusion of the taping operation when the trailing end of the seam is reached, it is neces- V means have been providedffor terminating the tape feeding cycle at .any particular desired adjustable point or for obtainingfthe tape. cutting operation by means originally initiated by target type switching apparatus.

The primary object of my present invention, therefore, is the provision of electromechanical means for applying the tape and cuttingoff the tape at the proper point as a folded box moves through the taping machine.

Another object :ofmyinvention is the provision of novel means for utilizing the movement of the box through the machine not only for in'itiating the tape feeding operation but also for initiating thjejtape cutting operation.

Another object of my invention is the provision of novel me'ansfin' addition "to the foregoing and de endent on the movement of the box through the taping machine'for controlling the length of the tape feeding operation,

'Stillanother ob ject of my invention is the provision of novel means dependent on the movement of the box through the taping machine for initiating and controlling the tape feeding :ope'ra'tion and for cutting off the tape at the proper point, all of the said means being readily adj-ustalole in accordance with the length of the seam to be taped.

A specific object of the present invention is the provision of solenoid operated tape feeding means in which a solenoid member tensions a feed'roll and "the solenoid is de-energized to permit the feed roll "to operate as the blank passes through the machine and by means operated by the blank.

Another object is the provision of novel tape feeding means. g

The "foregoing and many other objects of-i-ny invention will become apparent in the following "description and'drawings in which: I

Figure '1 is a schematic view in perspective i1- lustra'ting my invention.

Figure 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating my invention. w

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective showing the means for adjusting the switch elements of "my invention.

Referringnow to Figure 1, the foldedblank ll is fed forward in any suitable manner by the feed rolls [4. v 7

Each folded 'blank IO comprises essentially a tubular box having panels [8 and I9 which have been folded down around the fold lines 2D, '21 with the edges of the panels 18 and I9 meeting to form the seam '23.

My device is designed to apply a length of tape 3! to the seam 2, 3 in order to finish the tubular box.

Thejsupply-rolltfl for the tape 3| and the tape feeding comprises "a lever 2Bpivota1ly mounted at 2! and having a roller 2'8 at its opposite end. "The tape 31 then passes over idlers 29, 3B and adhesive moistener 33 'to the tape feeding rolls B2 and 32a.

Roller 32 on shaft lMis-springbiased byspring H30 in a clockwise direction to feed the tape out; roller "32a acts as an idler.

Solenoid H0 has its armature connected by chain 205 passing over sprocket 206 to the roller 3-2 where it is wrapped in a clockwise direction about the shaft [0'4 of roller 32.

When the solenoid H0 is energized, it pulls armature '-I I-2 down, pulling chain 205 and winding shaft I04 in a 'counterclockwise direction. Roller 3i. has -an over-running clutch or pawl and ratchet connection to shaft "H14 so that when The solenoid H is re-energized by movement of the box blank when the tape has entered under pressure roller 9i. When re-energized, it winds up the shaft I04 again tensioning spring I00 and,

pulling up the chain 205 over sprocket 206.

Sprocket 206 is rotatably mounted at 40 on the end of link 4| which is pivotally connected at 42 to slide 43 on lever 26. When thechain' 205 is pulled by solenoid I I0, sprocket 206 is pull'eddown pulling down link 4| and lever 26 and its roller 28, thereby pulling out a slack loop of tape for the next operation.

When the tape is pulled out by the next taping operation, roller 20 and lever 20 rise to be drawn down again when the solenoid is re-energized to pull out another slack loop. 7

Heretofore many attempts have been made to simplify the operation of the'tape, feeding and tape cutting means. This has resulted in rather complex mechanical arrangements utilizing cams 5 of various kinds to operate both the tape feeder and the tape cutter; andit was necessary to provide complex mechanical means for adjusting these cam arrangements to various'sizes of boxes and for variations in the length of flap and the length of seam in the box.

My invention is directed specifically to simplifled apparatus operated by the movement of the box itself for initiating the tape feeding and tape cutting operation. -Primarily,=my invention utilizes electrically operated means for controlling both the tape feeding and tape cutting operations, and, therefore, makes possible the use of simplified switching apparatus operated by the movement of thebox itself to control these means.

When the tape isfed under the pressure roll 9 I, the box blank to which the leading edge of the tape is secured pulls out the tape past the roll 32, the ratchet or over-running clutch arrangement in the roll 32 permitting this to occur.

Accordingly, it is only necessary actually to feed out approximately three inches of tape irrespective of the length of the seam since after the leading edge of the tape has been applied to the box blank, the movement of; the box blank serves to draw out the remaining tape needed for the seam.

In some cases and for specific operating reasons it may be necessary to vary the amount of tape actually fed out by operation of roll 32 in a clockwise direction;

Heretofore adjustments to obtain variations in the length of feed have required complex mechanical apparatus. My novel device requires merely the utilization of two switches A and B for this adjustment. i

Heretofore also it has been necessary to provide mechanical means for operating the knife to cut the length of tape afterit has been pulled out so that the length pulled out equals-the length of the seam My novel knife cutting operation requires merely the adjustment of a single unit containing a switch in order to operate the cutting knife at the=appropriate time. i

In addition, since the operation of the knife is electrical in my novel device, it is desirable th the mechanism for operating the knife be deenergized immediately after operation. For this purpose, instead of a single switch, two switches in series are used as hereinafter described in order to ensure that the knife operating mechanism is de-energized as soon as the cutting operation has taken place.

These switches need. not be adjusted with respect to each other and thus may be moved simultaneously.

Heretofore, in making adjustments of various kinds in prior taping machines to allow for the length of the flap in order that the tape may be applied at the proper point on the box at the beginning of the seam and in making adjustments for the length of feed-out of the tape and also in making adjustments of the knife cutting mechanism to cut the tape after an appropriate length has been fed out; it was necessary for the operator to adjust various parts of the mechanism at various points remote from each other.

My novel device makes it possible to place all of the adjustments at a single location preferably at or adjacent the portion of the taping machine at which the tape is applied and cut off.

Switches A and B are operated by the leading edge of the box blank=I 0 to control the operation of solenoid IIO. Switch A isnormaly open and switch B is normally closed, being held in their respective positions by yielding means as, for instance, the compression springs shown. Switch A is forward of the switch B so that it will be struck later by the leading edgeof the box blank. Switches A and B are provided, respectively, with operators A.and B which are pushed down by the leading edge of the box and held down by the undersurface of the box blank as it moves along.

Switch B is spaced forward of the tape feeding element by an amountequal to the length of flap of thebox so that when the leading edge of the box closes switch B by pressing down the switch operator B, the leading end of the seam will be just under the tape that is fed out. Switch A is spaced forwardof switch B by an amount equal to the length of tape to be fed out.

Opening of switchB de-energizes solenoid IIO to permit spring I00 to drive shaft I04 and feed roller 32 to feed out tape. Closing of switch A thereafter energizes solenoid IIO to restore the tension of spring I00 as previously described.

Thus, the spacing of switches A and B controls the length of tape to be fed out which preferably is of the order of three inches, the box then pulling out the remainder of the tape. Consequently, switches A and B will ordinarily be adjusted simultaneously since usually the amount of tape to be fed out is constant irrespective of the length of the box. This is so because the box blank itself pulls out the remainder of the tape. Thus, at the area at which tape is first applied to the box, a platform I20 (Figures 1 and 3) is provided with two tracks I2I and I22. Track I2I carries the slide I 24 which in turn is provided with track I25.

Switches A and B are slidably mounted in track I25 in order to obtain the proper adjustment between switches A and B. Ordinarily switches A and B will not he slid with respect to each other in track I25 unless a change in the actual length of the original feed-put of the tape is required. But slide I24 will be moved back and forth in the track I2I whenever it is necessary to adjust the position of switchB for variations in the length of flap of successive sets of boxes. This makes it possible to adjust switches A and B simultaneousabout its .Jsha'ft' R13 to "cause arm [50 carry i 151, maintaining the lrelationship zbetweenrswitehes iAtandr-Bi'switch :Bibeing, aoficourse the-controlling switch which :must be accurately aaddusted.

E i-ask rl 22 provides an :adiustmentfor. the-slide element :tI-lli which carries switches \C and D. r.

Switches-C :and D lneed' not be (adjusted with respect to each other and accordingly are noted- .j-ustably mounted inithe slide element vI but are rigidly mounted therein. Switch LC is inorvmall-y open and switch .19 normally closed, being 1 switch A, it 'closesla circuitlparallellingswitchB tore-energize the solenoid. Thesdlenoid. H0 remains energized while the blank. passes over lswitchn. But before the blariklleavesswitdhA, it first leaves switch B permitting lit to close so that-solenoid I10 remains energized. Thesoleno'id H0 is thus .de-energized only while the leading-edge oflthe' blankcpasses from switch 13 "to switch A. "The distance between these two switches thus determines the length of the tape feed-out.

. Thereafter, the box blank to whiehthe leading edge of the tape'has beensecu'red pulls out the tape,the ratchet or over-running clutch arrangement in the iee'd-ou't roller32ipermitting this 'to occur. p

The cutting knife "90 is iocatedrat the lower end of the arm I52 which is rigidly'securedaitlilfil to the lever me, which in turn .is pivoted at "the cross-shaft "I53. The ioppo'siteend ofllever I152 is pivotally connected at 154 'to' the solenoid armature T55 of solenoid 156. When solenoid 1156 is energized it attracts its armature "[55 to cause lever/F52 to "pivot in a counterclockwisedirection n cutting'knife' fil ito'move down and cut'fthe tape'3].

Solenoid H58 is energized 'by the 'movementfof -th box blank in order to effect this cutting operation. This 'energization occurs when the 'box .bla'nk. leaves the switch D. As the box 'blank moves along the path "it "first'strikesswi'tch operator D of switch D and opens'switch D; then it strikes operator C of switch'Cand closesfswitch D. Switches C andD are "in 'series'with solenoid IE8, 'the. circuit therefor extending from -'teiniin'al zfiieand conductors 3M and 1'88 tOfSWitGh '0; conducto'r it! to switch JD, thenover "conductor "T62 to the solenoid 1'56 and then through. conductors [63 and Zififiito terminal 1'41.

Thus, before the box blank moves into :position over "switchesC and'D, 'thecircuit iorsoleno'i'd I 56 is open at switch C. While the'box blank is moving over switches C and D, switch'C Tis'clos'ed but switch Dis open so that the circuit for "solenoid :56 "still remains open. When the box blank leaves switch D, then switch D closes, energizing solenoid I 55 'to-operate the'knife '90't0 outtingposition, switches C and D in series 'withsolenoi'd I56 being closed 'at'this time.

' Immediatelyiafter thisoper'ation, the box blank leaves switch C perm'ittingswitch C to open and B i-ift-willsthus abesseenithat the switches 31A" andiB, mounted on ithe :slide .1 2'4, and switches "C and-l3, 'inountediinrthe 'block I30, may all :be located in the sameregionuorxarea at 17118913011117 at which the tapeisfirsvapplied, thereby simplifying-the '-radj-nstment operation.

'Theserswitches may be adjusted (in accordance withthe-lengthof flap so that'the tape will be appliedzat thetbeg-inning oi the seam "and :the tape will be ont on to match the trailing end of the .seam. The tape is first pressed down by the "roller -91 and then further pressed down and smoothed by rthepnessurel-rollers '2 00, 2 00 switches'may be adjusted from the front of athesmachine While the maohineis running by screws-#00 and 404 connected to extended flanges MEZMBS- of :blocks vIii-dand 130.

-In' the;.-foregoing, -I have described my inven- :SQIBIY: in connection with specific illustrative embodiments thereof. Since many variations :andrmodifications of my invention will now :be obvious-to those skilled in the art, I prefer toibe bot-indnot by the speci-fic disclosures herein .contained but onlyaby the appended claims.

Iclai-m:

al. Ina taping machinefor applying tape to the -.-seamof a folded box blank, means for moving the box blank through the machine, means for suppor-tinga tape-supply, tape feeding and applying apparatus forwapplyingthe leading edge of the tape to the leading edge of the seam, :tape'cutting apparatus for cutting the tape after a length thereof equate the length'of the seam :has been :rotationin "a :feeding direction; "said electrical *controhmeans comprising a solenoid, a connectiingzmemb'er'botween said solenoid'and feed roller :said solenoid when energized moving and main- 'taining saidlfeedniollerin a position angularly removed: from said first-mentioned .angular .posi- "tion; said solenoid being normally energized;

s'witeh means operable by the passage of a :box

throughthe machine to de-ener'gize and then en- =ei gize=the solenoid '2. a taping-maehine for applying tape toith'e seam of a folded box blank, means formovin'g the box blan-kthrough the machine, means for supporting-a tape supply, tape feeding and applying apparatus "for applying the leading edge ofthetaipe-to-th'e leading edge oi the seam, tape "cutting "apparatus for cutting the tape after a length thereof equal to the length of the seam 'lia's -b'een-drawn from the tape feeding and supply apparatus; said tape feeding and supply appara- "tus' a-nd said tape cutting "apparatus being electrical-1y control-ledysaid tape feeding and supply apparatuscomprising a feed roller said feed roller T being resiliently urged toward one angular position for rotation in *a'feeding direction; said electricalcontrol means comprisinga solenoid, a connecting member between said'solenoid and feed roller said -"soleno'id when energized'moving and m'aintaiiningfisaiid feed roller in a position angu- 'la*rly removed from said first-mentioned angular "position; said "solenoid *being normally energized;

switch means operable by 'th'epassage of a box "through themaohine to de-energize and then energize the solenoid; and additional switch means 'operablabyth'e passage of the box' blank through 17 the machine for successively energizing and deenergizing said tape cutting apparatus. 8 3. In a taping machine for applying tape to th seam of a folded box blank, means for moving the box blank through the machine, means for supporting a tape supply, tape feeding and applying apparatus for applying the leading edge of the tape to the leading edge of the seam, tape cutting apparatus for cutting the tape after a length thereof equal to the length of the seam has been drawn from the tape feeding and supply apparatus; said tape feeding and supply apparatus and said tape cutting apparatus being electrically controlled; said tape feeding and supply apparatus comprising a feed roller said feed roller being resiliently urged toward one angular position for rotation in a feeding direction; said electrical control means comprising a solenoid, a connecting member between said solenoid and feed roller said solenoid when energized moving and maintaining said feed roller in a position angularly removed from said first-mentioned angular position; said solenoid being normally energized; a

first switch operable by the passage of the box through the machine to de-energize the solenoid to permit the feed roller to return to said firstmentioned angular position to effect a feeding operation.

4. In a taping machine for applying tape to the seam'of a folded box blank, means for moving the box blank through the machine, means for supporting a tape supply, tape feeding and applying apparatus for applying the leading edge of the tape to the leading edge of the seam, tape cutting apparatus for cutting the tape after a length thereof equal to the length of the seam has been drawn from the tape feeding and supply apparatus; said tape feeding and supply apparatus and said tape cutting apparatus being electrically controlled; said tape feeding and supply apparatus comprising a feed roller said feed roller being resiliently urged toward one angular position for rotation in a feeding direction; said electrical control means comprising a solenoid, a connecting member between said solenoid and feed roller said solenoid when energized moving and maintaining said feed roller in a position angularly removed from said first-mentioned angular position; said solenoid being normally energized; a first switch operable by the passage, of the box through the machine to de-energize the solenoid to permit the feed roller to return to said firstmentioned angular position to effect a feeding operation, and a second switch operable by the passage of the box through the machine to ener-' gize the solenoid while the box continues to engage the first switch.

5. In a taping machine for applying tape to the seam of a folded box blank, means for moving the box blank through the machine, means for supporting a tape supply, tape feeding and applying apparatus for applying the leading edge of the tape to the leading edge of the seam, tape cutting apparatus for cutting the tape after a length thereof equal to the length of the seam has been drawn from the tape feeding and supply apparatus; said tape feeding and supply apparatus and said tape cutting apparatus being electrically controlled; said tape feeding and supply apparatus comprising a feed roller said feed roller being resiliently urged toward one angular position for rotation in a feeding direction; said electrical control means comprising a solenoid, a connecting member between saidsolenoid and feed roller said solenoid when energized moving i8 and maintaining said feed roller in a. position angularly removed from said first-mentioned angular position; said solenoid being normally energized; switch: means operable by the passage of -a box through the machine to de-energize and then energize the solenoid; a connection between said solenoid and said tape supply for drawing a slack loop from said tape supply when said solenoid is energized.

6. In a taping machine for applying tape to the seam of a folded box blank, means for moving the box blank through the machine, means for supporting a tape supply, tape feeding and applying apparatus for applying the leading edge of the tape to the elading edge of the seam, tape cutting apparatus for cutting the tape after a length thereof equal to the length of the seam has" been drawn from the tape feeding and supply apparatus; said tape feeding and supply apparatus and said tape cutting apparatus being electrically controlled; said tape feeding and supply apparatus comprising a feed roller said feed roller being resiliently urged toward one angular position for rotation in a feeding direction; said electrical control means comprising a solenoid, a connecting member between said solenoid and feedroller said solenoid when energized moving and maintaining said feed roller in a position anbularly removed from said first-mentioned angular' position; said solenoid being normally energized; switch means operable by the passage of a box through the machine to de-energize and then energize the solenoid; said connection between said solenoid and said feed roller comprising a connection to said tape supply for drawing a slack loop from said tape supply when said solenoid is energized.

7. In a taping machine-for applying tape to the seam .of a folded box blank, means for moving the box blank through the machine, means for supporting. a tape supply, tape feeding and applying apparatus for applying the leading edge .of the tape to the leading edge of the seam, tape cutting apparatus for cutting the tape after a length thereof equalto the length of the seam has been drawn from the tape feeding and supply apparatus; said tape feeding and supply apparatus and said tape cutting apparatus being electrically controlled; said tape feeding and supply apparatus comprising a feed roller said feed roller being resiliently urged toward one angular position for rotation in a feeding direction; said electrical control means comprising a solenoid, a connecting member between said solenoid and feed roller said solenoid when energized moving and maintaining said feed roller in a position angularly removed from said first-mentioned angular position; said solenoid being normally energized; switch means operable by the passage of a box through the machine to de-energize and then energize the solenoid; said connection between said solenoid and said feed roller comprising a longitudinal flexible member; said flexible member being moved longitudinally when said solenoid is energized.

8. In a, taping machine for applying tape to the seam of a folded box blank, means for moving the box blank through the machine, means for supporting a tape supply, tape feeding and applying apparatus for applying the leading edge of the tape to the leading edge of the seam, tape outing apparatus for cutting the tape after a length theerof equal to the length of the seam has been drawn from the tape feeding and 76 supply apparatus; said tape feeding and supply apparatus and said tape cutting apparatus being electrically controlled; said tape feeding and supply apparatus comprising a feed roller said feed roller being resiliently urged toward one angular position for rotation in a feeding direction; said electrical control means comprising a solenoid, a connecting member between said solenoid and feed roller said solenoid when energized moving and maintaining said feed roller in a position angularly removed from said first-mentioned angular position; said solenoid being normally energized; switch means operable by the passage of a box through the machine to ode-energize and then energize the solenoid; said connection between said solenoid and said feed roller comprising a longitudinal flexible member; said flexible member being moved longitudinally when said solenoid is energized, a movable idler, said tape passing around said idler on the side thereof away from said tape supply; a connection between said idler and said flexible member; said flexible member moving said idler away from said tape supply to create a slack loop when said flexible member is moved longitudinally.

9. In a taping machine for applying tape to the seam of a folded box blank, means for moving the box blank through the machine, means for supporting a tape supply, tape feeding and applying apparatus for applying the leading edge of the tape to the leading edge of the seam, tape cutting apparatus for cutting the tape after a length thereof equal to the length of the seam has been drawn from the tape feeding and supply apparatus; said tape supply comprising a roll of tape; a rotatable idler adjacent said roll of tape and movable away from said roll; said tape passing around said idler on the side thereof remote from said tape supply; a connection between said idler and said tape feeding apparatus for moving said idler away from said tape supply to create a slack tape loop at each operation of the tape feeding apparatus.

10. In a taping machine for applying tape to the seam of a folded box blank, means for moving the box blank through the machine, means for supporting a tape supply, tape feeding and applying apparatus for applying the leading edge of the tape to the leading edge of the seam, tape cutting apparatus for cutting the tape after a length thereof equal to the length of the seam has been drawn from the tape feeding and supply ply apparatus; said taps supply comprising a roll of tape; a rotatable idler adjacent said roll of tape and movable away from said roll; said tape passing around said idler on the side thereof remote from said tape supply; a connection between said idler and said tape feeding apparatus for moving said idler away from said tape supply to create a slack tape loop at the conclusion of each operation of the tape feeding apparatus.

CHARLES HESS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,248,744 Cohen July 8, 1941 2,467,275 Shields Apr. 12, 1949 

